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Home » Bending Process and Key Considerations for Aluminum Tent Profiles

Bending Process and Key Considerations for Aluminum Tent Profiles

The stretch forming process for roof tent frames applies tension and bending moment at both ends of the tent profile, so that the aluminum tent profile is stretched and bent while wrapped around the forming die. This can effectively reduce the bending rebound and improve the contour accuracy of the tent profile. It is particularly suitable for the bending forming of tent profiles with small deformation and large curvature radius.

A PBF stretch forming machine for aluminium tent bending on its way to Spain.
A PBF stretch forming machine for aluminium tent bending on its way to Spain.

Roof Tent Profiles often have large cross-sections, requiring careful selection of bending methods. For profiles wider than 200mm, using a stretch forming machine ensures high precision and minimizes deformation and springback. For profiles under 200mm, an aluminum profile bending machine is a suitable option, though material condition remains crucial. Typically, T4 or T5 aluminum profiles are ideal for bending, as their moderate hardness helps reduce springback and maintain shape.

A stretch forming machine provides excellent shape control for tent profiles/Curved Roof Structures, preventing surface wrinkles and inner-side dents. This method is particularly beneficial for large, variable-radius aluminum profiles, ensuring consistency while reducing post-processing adjustments. In contrast, an aluminium profile bending machine (roll bending for aluminum profiles) is more efficient for small cross-sections but offers lower precision.

In this video, we demonstrate the PBF Stretch Bending Machine(Stretch forming machine for Tent Frames) in action, bending large aluminum tent profiles with a cross-section of 460×120 mm/Aluminum Profile Bending for Curved Roof Tent, no sand or other tools are filled inside the tent profile cavity. Traditional roll-bending often causes surface wrinkles, waves, or deformation in such large profiles. The PBF machine solves these problems by using a stretch-bending process, delivering smooth, wrinkle-free surfaces and precise angles.

During the processing of Aluminum Profile Bending for Curved Roof Tent, challenges include shape deviation, surface defects, twisting, and vertical misalignment. Shape deviation, often caused by uneven hardness or springback, can be corrected by optimizing die curvature and adjusting tension. Surface defects may result from excessive force, profile design, or die clearance, requiring careful parameter adjustments. Twisting can be minimized by increasing tension and modifying front-end die support. Vertical misalignment can be corrected through appropriate compensation techniques. For example, a bending die (consisting of a steel plate bent into a preset arc and related fixtures. For products with a small bending radius, a pad made of polymer material is added to the side of the profile to prevent surface wrinkling.)

The blank length of the tent profile should fully consider factors such as the length of the part, the extension of the mold curvature, the clamping part of the equipment chuck and the rotation gap between the equipment chuck and the mold. Under the premise of meeting the requirements of the tent profile forming, the process margin should be minimized to reduce the cost.

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